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Don’t Forget to Sign Your Tax Return!

Written by Nickel - 17 Comments
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I know that many of you file taxes electronically, but for those of you that still file a paper return, here’s a tip: Don’t forget to sign your return! I only bring this up because, after years of filing electronically, we used a tax pro this year and ended up filing a paper return. And I almost (almost!) forgot to sign it. Almost, as in I slipped it into the envelope and was about to seal it when I realized that my wife and I needed to sign it. Oh, how that would’ve sucked. But I remembered, and now I’m reminding you.

Sign your tax return!

Published on April 13th, 2007 - 17 Comments
Filed under: Taxes

About the author: Nickel is the founder and editor-in-chief of this site. He's a thirty-something family man who has been writing about personal finance since 2005, and guess what? He's on Twitter!

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17 Responses to “Don’t Forget to Sign Your Tax Return!”

  1. 1
    Blaine Moore Says:

    Also make sure that you put everything that is required into the envelope before mailing it.

    I just got my tax return sent back to me yesterday because the state wanted me to include Schedule 1 to explain why I have a $2.00 deduction to my income on line 15.

  2. 2
    nickel Says:

    Why *do* you have a $2 deduction on line 15?

  3. 3
    RootAnn Says:

    I remembered to sign our return, but *almost* forgot to have my husband sign it. I had forgotten how many things go with the paper return after a few years of e-filing. Since we had to pay this year, we had the check and the payment voucher along with it.
    And don’t forget *proper postage* if you have a thick stack of papers in the envelope.

  4. 4
    Tinyhands Says:

    I did exactly the same thing: Folded up the big wad of papers, stuffed it in the envelope and almost licked it before I remembered to sign it.

  5. 5
    James Says:

    I actually forgot to sign it last year. In case you’re curious, they just send it back to you with a note asking you to sign it. Also, if you file electronically, you may still need to submit a signature in some cases.

  6. 6
    Crediteria.com Says:

    Stuff all your receipts for write-offs in the envelope too. I have forgotten to do that in the past.

    Tax time is such a pain…

  7. 7
    CPA1298 Says:

    Crediteria – you don’t need to submit receipts; if you file by mail, all you need to submit are forms that indicate withholding (W-2s, some 1099s, some social security statements)

  8. 8
    Flexo Says:

    Thanks for the reminder, Nickel!

  9. 9
    cynthia Says:

    Believe it or not: I actually forgot to sign my state return. I was shocked! They just sent me a form for me and hubby to sign and that was that.
    stupid, stupid, stupid!

  10. 10
    Ben Says:

    I think I read somewhere that some of the most common things that trigger an audit are using the wrong SSN or forgetting to sign your tax return.

  11. 11
    2006 Tax Says:

    We forgot to sign the check that was enclosed in the tax retun. Anyone know what will happen next?

    Thanks!

  12. 12
    aimee Says:

    I forgot to sign both my federal and state return checks. They cashed the federal one anyway, but still waiting on my state one… if anyone else made that same mistake and was worried.

  13. 13
    frances Says:

    I forgot to sign my return! And I mailed it yesterday….Thanks for letting others know what will happen. I thought I might have to copy and send the whole thing again, signed of course. I owe so not waiting for any $$.

  14. 14
    Bob Says:

    I just put my federal return in a mailbox and the realized i didn’t put the irs address label on the envelope. “Internal Revenue processing center” is printed in the field where the label is supposed to go. Will it still get to them? My return address and sufficient postage were on the envelope. Thanks.

  15. 15
    BeckyR Says:

    If you dont sign your return before you mail it, about how long does it take for them to mail you a form to sign?

  16. 16
    LizB Says:

    I forgot to sign my return and 2 days before I was supposed to get my refund they sent me a letter to sign and send back. Now it will probable take them another monthe to process it! lol. How did it take for them to sent your refund after you’ve sent the signed letter / any other info they requested?

  17. 17
    natalie Says:

    PLEASE HELP!!!
    Where do I return the papers after I sign them? To the address it was sent back to me from OR to the original address I sent it to first?

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